In Her Own Words: Brandee

January 14, 2014

My name is Brandee Keslar and I have a 2-year-old son, Ty. We enjoy playing cars, coloring, reading books, playing outside, and break dancing.

I am currently attending Front Range Community College, and I have one year left before I earn my associates of arts degree. I then plan to transfer to Colorado State University where I will pursue a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and a minor or double major in Communication. My goal is to graduate by 2016 or 2017, depending on what classes I need to take to double major and when classes are offered.

I chose this field of study because I have always enjoyed working with children, but I have also loved working with individuals with special needs and the senior population. With help and guidance from Project Self-Sufficiency, I learned that I should pursue my degree in HDFS because it covers all ages. I would like to get a degree in Communication as well, because I would like to be an event coordinator at an independent living center or for any organization.

My plan is to volunteer for different organizations while I'm in school. By the time I graduate, I hope I will have made a connection to get a job somewhere in the community. Ty will be in school by then, so I'd like to have a job while he is in school.

WomenGive has helped me in more ways than I could imagine. Without WomenGive's support, there is no way I would be able to go back to school full-time. Being the only parent in Ty's life, I feel time is important. Working and going to school was not giving us the time we needed together. Because of WomenGive, I have been able to go back to school full-time while he is in childcare and I now get to spend the evenings with him.

It's amazing how important a daily routine is for a toddler. Without WomenGive providing an opportunity for him to go to childcare while I'm in school, he would be a mess. It is also providing him the opportunity to interact with other children on a daily basis. His social skills have improved so much since attending school full-time.

WomenGive not only helps with the childcare costs, they have also given me inspiration. In the middle of the semester they sent a card in the mail that had a message of motivation. As a single mom, that is much needed and appreciated.

Words can't tell you how thankful my son and I are. Your donations and this program have opened new doors for my family and we are very grateful.